Which of the following best describes an ecological barrier?

An ecological barrier is best described as a difference in resource use or habitat preference, which can lead to reproductive isolation between populations. This occurs when species utilize different resources in their environment or occupy different habitats, thus reducing or eliminating the chances of them interacting or mating. For example, if two populations of a species prefer different types of food or occupy different ecological niches within the same geographic area, they may not come into contact frequently enough to breed, leading to speciation over time.

This contrasts with other concepts; hybridization represents the mixing of genetic material between species, while physical barriers involve tangible structures that prevent interactions, such as mountains or rivers. Genetic mutations pertain to changes within a specific population’s genetic makeup rather than the ecological interactions that limit contact between different populations. Understanding these distinctions highlights the role of ecological factors in driving speciation.